Employment Opportunity – Clinical Counsellor Full-Time
March 15, 2024
Who we are:
UNYA has been supporting the health and wellbeing of Indigenous youth in the Metro Vancouver area for over 30 years. As a respected non-profit, charitable organization, we recognize Indigenous youth as experts in their own lives and strive to provide youth with programs and opportunities that are relevant and meaningful to them.
At Urban Native Youth Association UNYA we have developed a Philosophy of Care foundation, drawing from best practices. These philosophies are the grounding framework that shapes all of our decisions and every interaction we have with the youth we serve. Following these philosophies empowers our staff to meet youth where they are at, by giving them the ability to balance flexibility and structure. This allows us to meet our youth’s needs, and ensure that our youth experience a consistent quality of care across all UNYA programs. Our 5 key philosophies are:
• Trauma-Informed Practice
• Two-Eyed Seeing
• Harm Reduction Practice
• Youth/Person Centered Practice
• Culture as Therapy
Highlights of this opportunity:
The UNYA Clinical Counsellor works with Indigenous youth to provide support and education for mental health, wellness, and substance-use, primarily through one-to-one and group counselling sessions, collaborative care planning, and connecting youth with resources in the community. The program is rooted in a two-eyed seeing approach and the Clinical Counsellor engages with a range of UNYA staff and community partners (Elders, Knowledge Keepers, ceremonies and events) to ensure that a full range of clinical and cultural healing modalities and supports are incorporated into the individualized care plan, through both individual and group services.
Qualifications and Conditions:
1. Must possess a Master’s degree in Child + Youth Care, Counselling Psychology or Social Work from a recognized program. Consideration may be given for a combined college diploma in counselling with additional training and/or experience with Indigenous cultural healing practices.
2. Minimum 3 years of relevant experience working with youth and/or Indigenous persons in a support service setting. Minimum 1-year recent experience providing professional counselling services to persons affected by mental health, wellness, and/or substance-use related challenges.
3. Demonstrated experience establishing rapport and working effectively with Indigenous youth, and youth who may be overcoming mental health, or substance use issues. Demonstrated broad based knowledge of the family and social issues that Indigenous youth face today, including the intergenerational impacts of the residential school system on Indigenous families and communities.
4. Demonstrated comprehensive knowledge and ability to practice psychotherapeutic and counselling skills, including narrative & solution-focused counselling, client-centered collaborative practices, and culture as therapy. Demonstrated ability to assess and respond appropriately to high risk situations, including suicide and safety/violence, mental health crisis, child welfare, interpersonal conflict, and other emergent situations.
5. Demonstrated working knowledge of adolescent developmental concerns, youth substance use and mental health issues, and their interactions.
6. Demonstrated strong understanding of, and a willingness to participate in, Indigenous protocols, ceremonies, and other practices. Specifically, must demonstrate a strong knowledge of Indigenous healing modalities and a strong working knowledge of other community resources in Vancouver, particularly Indigenous-specific and youth substance use resources.
7. Demonstrated ability to plan and facilitate workshops and other programming that incorporate traditional Indigenous medicines and protocols, Indigenous history, substance use, relapse awareness & prevention, self-esteem building, life skills, relationships, abuse, trauma, traditional Talking Circles, and other substance use issues affecting youth.
8. Demonstrated strong written and oral communications skills – including the ability to prioritize and complete multiple tasks, maintain accurate case management files, and prepare reports. Must also possess strong knowledge of Microsoft Office suite.
9. Must also demonstrate the ability to identify with the mandate, policies and procedures of the organization.
10. Must have a valid Class 5 B.C. Driver’s License (Class 4 a strong asset). A driving abstract will be required upon request.
11. Must have a personal support system and self-care plan in place.
12. Must provide proof of vaccination
13. Must have a criminal record check completed by and satisfactory to UNYA.
14. Given the needs of youth accessing our services, priority will be given to qualified Indigenous applicants.
The program is rooted in a two-eyed seeing approach and the Clinical Counsellor engages with a range of UNYA staff and community partners (Elders, Knowledge Keepers, ceremonies and events) to ensure that a full range of clinical and cultural healing modalities and supports are incorporated into the individualized care plan, through both individual and group services.
The program is rooted in a two-eyed seeing approach and the Clinical Counsellor engages with a range of UNYA staff and community partners (Elders, Knowledge Keepers, ceremonies and events) to ensure that a full range of clinical and cultural healing modalities and supports are incorporated into the individualized care plan, through both individual and group services.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Plan and implement activities for the Clinical Counselling program, including: the provision of culturally-appropriate one-to-one and group counselling sessions for Indigenous youth; the incorporation of cultural healing and educational opportunities into youth care plans; connecting youth to safe supportive services and programs, and facilitate their access to other supportive cultural activities and resources in the community.
2. Ensure cultural integration in all aspects of programming while focusing on the family systems perspective, which addresses surrounding systems which either positively or negatively impact the health and wellbeing of youth. Educate youth in regards to safe health practices.
3. Case manage and collaborate with inter-disciplinary teams (including UNYA programs and other community partners) as needed to plan, implement, supervise, and evaluate individual supports, daily and weekly programming, workshops, and group outings (cultural, social, educational, and recreational). Positively participate in programming and activities in order provide a positive role model experience for youth.
4. Consult with youth and other appropriate individuals to identify the needs and goals of individual youth. Ensure that case plans as identified are implemented effectively. Ensure the ongoing utilization of appropriate community referral networks.
5. Actively assist in ongoing development and review of program components. Positively address any concerns, incidents, or crises which affect youth participants, program mandate, UNYA policies, community relations, etc., and seek input/direction from the Director of Clinical programs on an ongoing basis.
6. Assist with maintaining monthly statistics and written client reports and records in order to meet UNYA and funding requirements.
7. Respect and assure youth participants of confidentiality in the community and with other service professionals. Respect and maintain the confidentiality of staff issues within the team, with the exception of the Director of Clinical Programs.
8. Attend and positively participate in staff and community/inter-agency meetings as required. Attend professional development seminars to keep current regarding alcohol and drug use and other issues affecting youth.
What we offer:
Annual Salary $69,804.80
· 40 hours a week
· Comprehensive Benefits package
· Vacation, Sick, and Wellness days
· Access to our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) which consists of no-cost counselling services to UNYA staff
· Support from UNYA’s Elder in Residence for cultural and spiritual guidance or teachings
· Monthly Staff development
How to apply:
If you would like to become a part of this tremendous team, send a cover letter and resume indicating the position you are applying to the attention of the Hiring Manager at [email protected] Posting will close when position is filled. Only those shortlisted will be contacted.
***We are an Indigenous youth organization whose mandate is to provide meaningful opportunities for Indigenous youth. We encourage qualified Indigenous – First Nations, Metis, and Inuit, applicants to apply. If you identify as Indigenous, please let us know in your application! Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.